A group of East Texas men officially hold the world record for largest American alligator harvested legally. Justin Wells of Lufkin along with his three friends, Ryan Haltom, Tommy Bass, Jarrett JanusMore >

A group of East Texas men officially hold the world record for the largest American alligator harvested legally.More >

SULPHUR, LA (KPLC) -

A Sulphur man went toe-to-toe with an 11-foot alligator, leaving him with 80 stitches in one hand, but he lived to tell the tale.

"I've always been the kind of guy who learns the hard way," said Glen Bonin.

Bonin and three of his friends tried to move an alligator out of the way on Prater Road just south of Sulphur.

"(We) took our shirts off, threw it on his (the gator's) face, and we were going to come from behind it and jump on it... in the process of doing that, it spun around and grabbed my hand seconds before we jumped on it," Bonin said.

The alligator then snapped at Bonin, biting his hand and sending him into a daze.

"It felt like someone was pulling my arm out. I thought I was about to lose something. It felt like it lasted forever," Bonin said.

Despite it all, he says he's learned his lesson.

"Hopefully with therapy I'll be able to straighten out my ring finger and pinky a little bit," Bonin said.

Officials with the enforcement division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stress that if you come into contact with an alligator or any wildlife, do not try to handle it on your own. Instead, call local law enforcement or the local LDWF office.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva (78) stands outside the tunnel alone during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the field during the national anthem for next weekend's game against the Baltimore Ravens.